Since the Iranian revolution, Americans have been aware of Islamic extremism. They should have been worried about Islamic fundamentalism much earlier. Decades before Ayatollah Khomeini announced his holy war against the United States, Muslim militants had been increasing their numbers and honing their critique of the West, especially America, and its cultural and political influence throughtout the Islamic world. Unnoticed by most academics, diplomats, and spies, bin Ladenism was taking shape.